Key former BioWare talent form a studio to make narrative-driven RPGs

[Delicieuxz]

 

Since, after its very slow and painful virtual death under the corporatization of EA, BioWare is little more than an empty husk of what it originally was, it's nice to know that some of its original form's spirit and talent plans to live on in Archetype Entertainment.

 

The last game that BioWare designed independently, before it was bought by EA, is Dragon Age: Origins. It is also the last full RPG BioWare has made, and, in my opinion, it is BioWare's swan song.

 

James Ohlen, Head of Studio

Chad Robertson, General Manager

Drew Karpyshyn, Writer

 

 

https://www.archetype-entertainment.com/

Quote

OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE THE GREATEST STORY-DRIVEN ROLEPLAYING GAMES IN THE WORLD.

Archetype Entertainment is a game development studio in Austin, Texas led by industry veterans from BioWare and other AAA studios. Founded in 2019, Archetype is an autonomous division of Wizards of the Coast. We are assembling a world-class team to build a multi-platform roleplaying game set in a new science fiction universe.

At Archetype, we believe there will always be a place for story-driven roleplaying games that put the player at the center of an epic personal narrative with impactful choices. We are building games that represent the diversity of our audience. We also believe that game studios should empower top developers and challenge them with ambitious projects that are shaped by a strong, clearly communicated creative vision.

 

Drew Karpyshyn's website - Archetype Entertainment

Quote

Fortunately for me, I have another gig now. I’m proud to announce that I’m the lead writer for Archetype Entertainment! Founded by James Ohlen – the creative genius behind BioWare hits like Baldur’s Gate, KOTOR and Dragon Age – Archetype is a new video game studio under the Wizards of the Coast umbrella… and I haven’t been this excited to work on a project in a long, long time! (Side note: I’ve always enjoyed working with WotC; they even published my first novel!)

 

I’ve been in the video game industry for twenty years now. When I started at BioWare, everything was fresh and exciting. It was a dream job – talented people working together to create epic games like Baldur’s Gate, KOTOR, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. But as we grew and became more successful, things changed. We became more corporate. We were less able to make what we loved, and the teams were pushed to create games based on market research rather than our creative instincts and passions. My dream job became just a job, and I lost the enthusiasm and excitement I once had.

 

But with Archetype, my passion has been rekindled. The feel in the studio reminds me of my early days at BioWare; I can feel the magic in the air. And even though I can’t get too deep into the specifics of what we’re working on yet,we’re already generating plenty of excitement in the industry.

 

I know we have big shoes to fill. With BioWare, I was part of a legacy that will endure forever. We created some of the most beloved CRPGs of the past two decades. But I truly believe at Archetype we have the talent and the opportunity to do something just as amazing!

 

This journey is only beginning, and I know it will be long and challenging. But for the first time in a long time, I can’t wait to travel down this path again!

 

Quote

In 2000, I started working for a little video game company called BioWare. I worked there for almost twelve years as a writer, and I contributed to a number of games: the Baldur’s Gate series, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Mass Effect and Star Wars: The Old Republic.

 

 

[WereCatf]

5 minutes ago, Delicieuxz said:

Since, after its very slow and painful virtual death under the corporatization of EA, BioWare is little more than an empty husk of what it originally was, it's nice to know that some of its original form's spirit and talent plans to live on in Archetype Entertainment.

Archetype Entertainment be like:

[Commodus]

It feels like BioWare is trying to claw back some of what it once had, but still, this is a good move.  It's often in the loss of one thing that we see the creation of new, possibly even better things.

 

The problem isn't so much corporatization as it is EA's particular form of corporatization.  The publisher has an MO that's entirely too predictable:

 

1. Buy a studio known for developing one particular genre.

2. Pressure that studio to develop a game outside of its core competency.

3. Wonder why that game flopped without even a hint of self-examination.

4. Studio either closes or becomes a shell of its former self.

 

EA might've been fine if it had let BioWare stick to RPGs, but it feels like Anthem was the product of an EA exec wanting a "live services" game and deciding that BioWare would be the best studio for the job.  Archetype may be a way of preserving that RPG spirit no matter what happens to BioWare.

[RonnieOP]

At this point if the people working at bioware care about their reputation they would leave and go elsewhere.

 

If your just there for collecting a paycheck I understand but admit thats what your doing.

 

Im tired of hearing these people put all the blame on EA. They are the ones choosing to follow EAs orders and putting their name on things that are utter shit. Have a little respect for your work and stop ripping off your fans with games you know are not good.

[TechyBen]

2 hours ago, Commodus said:

It feels like BioWare is trying to claw back some of what it once had, but still, this is a good move.  It's often in the loss of one thing that we see the creation of new, possibly even better things.

 

The problem isn't so much corporatization as it is EA's particular form of corporatization.  The publisher has an MO that's entirely too predictable:

 

1. Buy a studio known for developing one particular genre.

2. Pressure that studio to develop a game outside of its core competency.

3. Wonder why that game flopped without even a hint of self-examination.

4. Studio either closes or becomes a shell of its former self.

 

EA might've been fine if it had let BioWare stick to RPGs, but it feels like Anthem was the product of an EA exec wanting a "live services" game and deciding that BioWare would be the best studio for the job.  Archetype may be a way of preserving that RPG spirit no matter what happens to BioWare.

PS, you forgot 2.5 "Force them to port it to frostbite even if key features and scope of engine does not support 90% of the game".

[Commodus]

14 minutes ago, TechyBen said:

PS, you forgot 2.5 "Force them to port it to frostbite even if key features and scope of engine does not support 90% of the game".

Ah yes, that too... I know it makes sense for EA to streamline work, but there are definitely times when it just needs to let developers use the best tool for the job.  It did that with Apex Legends, at least.

[PlayStation 2]

Can't wait for this to flop, just like almost every other company that's tried to do this, like Ghost Games and United Front Games.

[Derangel]

1 hour ago, handymanshandle said:

Can't wait for this to flop, just like almost every other company that's tried to do this, like Ghost Games and United Front Games.

What kind of asshole wants a studio to fail?

[PlayStation 2]

3 minutes ago, Derangel said:

What kind of asshole wants a studio to fail?

This asshole, apparently.

[Salv8 (sam)]

hmm, i should keep an eye on them...

might buy a game or two if it interests me...

[Doobeedoo]

Sucks how once well known and top reputable gaming companies turn so corporate. Definitely sucks for pationate devs that get shafted like that by top management and such. 

Also, making games based on market research to such extent, it's what we tend to see is so sterile and brings many bad clones of games, tries to milk the content and turns games into a store it self where gameplay is barely primer anymore. 

[Paranoid Kami]

I liked KOTOR. Shame though that single handed lightsabers sucked

[Bombastinator]

On 2/16/2020 at 2:23 PM, Derangel said:

What kind of asshole wants a studio to fail?

Depends on the studio.  A studios product would have to make games and the human condition worse by existing.  Are there any of those you can think of?  If it helps look at some of the removed from steam stuff.

[Kisai]

On 2/16/2020 at 8:19 AM, Commodus said:

It feels like BioWare is trying to claw back some of what it once had, but still, this is a good move.  It's often in the loss of one thing that we see the creation of new, possibly even better things.

 

The problem isn't so much corporatization as it is EA's particular form of corporatization.  The publisher has an MO that's entirely too predictable:

 

1. Buy a studio known for developing one particular genre.

2. Pressure that studio to develop a game outside of its core competency.

3. Wonder why that game flopped without even a hint of self-examination.

4. Studio either closes or becomes a shell of its former self.

 

EA might've been fine if it had let BioWare stick to RPGs, but it feels like Anthem was the product of an EA exec wanting a "live services" game and deciding that BioWare would be the best studio for the job.  Archetype may be a way of preserving that RPG spirit no matter what happens to BioWare.

 

EA never learns. And it's more like this:

 

1. A successful Indie/smaller dev has a big name project

2. EA offers to publish it, when it inevitably makes a lot of money EA wants more

3. EA buys the publisher

4. EA has all the GAAS nonsense added to their new games, their games door poorly

5. EA closes down the studio

Repeat, ad nausem.

 

Like the only games EA keeps making that still make money are the EA sports titles. Maybe sports gamers like having the same game sold to them every year, who knows.

[Reytime]

You'd almost think all these once-praised developers are aware their corporate masters are misusing them for the bottom line.

 

Of course they are. Good for them. More power to them, indeed.

[suicidalfranco]

1 hour ago, Kisai said:

Maybe sports gamers like having the same game sold to them every year, who knows.

they just don't know any better since that's what they've been served since as far back as i can remember (first sports game i played was FIFA world cup 98)